News and Insights

From “Grande Dames” to “Insiders”: Why Luxury Hotels Will Continue to Drive Placemaking

April 23, 2025

Luxury hospitality, as we know it today, began to emerge in the 1860s with the rise of iconic establishments known as grande dame hotels. These weren’t simply places to sleep—they were cultural institutions that defined the reputations of the cities they called home. Hotels such as The Savoy in London (1889), the Waldorf Astoria in New York (1893 / 1931), and The Ritz in Paris (1898) introduced unprecedented standards of elegance, personalized service, and technological innovation. In doing so, they laid the foundation of modern luxury hospitality.

One of the most influential contributions of these hotels was the introduction of cutting-edge design and technology to the urban landscape. The Savoy amazed guests with electric lighting, elevators, and en-suite bathrooms—amenities that were revolutionary for their time. This early adoption of innovation positioned London as a forward-thinking, cosmopolitan capital and set a new benchmark for luxury worldwide.

These grande dame hotels quickly became the beating heart of social and cultural life in their respective cities. The Ritz in Paris wasn’t just a hotel—it was a cultural landmark, a haven for figures like Coco Chanel, Marcel Proust, and Ernest Hemingway. Through its blend of glamour and literary spirit, it solidified Paris’s global reputation as a centre of art, fashion, and culture. In Vienna, the Hotel Sacher (1876) elevated the city’s cultural capital with its famed Sachertorte and imperial ambiance, reinforcing Vienna’s image as a destination for classical music, fine arts, and regal refinement. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Raffles Hotel (1887) became synonymous with tropical (and decidedly colonial) luxury, drawing in literary giants such as Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad and shaping Singapore’s identity as a polished, intellectual destination.

These hotels didn’t just reflect the spirit of their cities—they helped define it. Through curated experiences, opulent interiors, and guest lists filled with cultural and political icons, they constructed a narrative of sophistication and prestige that turned cities into global destinations.

Fast forward to today, and the spirit of the grande dame lives on—but in a new form. Historic hotels continue to evolve through creative cultural partnerships and experiential innovation. In Bangkok, The Mandarin Oriental connects guests with the city’s vibrant traditions via guided market tours and immersive Thai cooking classes. In New York, The Plaza continues to reflect American luxury with exclusive partnerships like that with Tiffany & Co. In 2015, Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley offered a distinctly British experience by gifting guests in select suites with custom Burberry trench coats—a nod to fashion, identity, and place.

Yet even as heritage hotels reassert their relevance, a new generation of luxury properties is reshaping the very definition of travel. Emerging under global hospitality brands with deep local insight, these “Insider” hotels are no longer just participating in tourism—they’re driving it forward.

With an innate understanding of the modern luxury traveller, “Insider” hotels anticipate the evolving expectations of guests seeking effortless culture, distinctive design, and uncompromising comfort. These properties aren’t just where travellers stay, rather they are why they come. Their influence is redefining why people travel, where they choose to stay, and how they engage with a destination.

Insider hotels cultivate a sense of place that is both aspirational and experiential. They are deeply rooted in the communities they inhabit, collaborating with local creatives and artisans to offer guests access to hidden gems and under-the-radar experiences. Through storytelling, immersive design, and intuitive service, they elevate travel into something deeply personal.

Some of the most recent or anticipated openings illustrate how luxury hotels are actively driving tourism to their cities. The upcoming Louis Vuitton hotel in Paris (2026) is set to redefine the fusion of fashion and hospitality, transforming the brand’s historic headquarters into a cultural destination in its own right. Other compelling newcomers include the Rosewood Hotel Bauer (2025) in Venice, which reimagines a storied palazzo with contemporary flair, and The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel (2025) in Madrid, where Spanish heritage and modern elegance converge to elevate the city’s cultural identity. In Singapore, PARKROYAL Pickering (2013) has become an international icon of sustainable architecture, its lush, green design drawing eco-conscious travellers and design lovers alike. And in London, Pan Pacific London (2021) is carving out a new narrative for the city’s luxury offering with its call to “discover a different side of the city”—an invitation rooted in its dedication to wellness at the heart of the urban landscape and its insider knowledge of East London’s creative energy and evolving cultural scene.

These new properties are reshaping the travel map, acting as cultural anchors in their cities. Each one is tailored not just to its location, but to the emotional and experiential expectations of today’s luxury traveller.

When tourism boards align their destination branding with the identity of top-tier hotels, they gain access to curated marketing opportunities that are both aspirational and targeted. Campaigns that merge hotel prestige with destination messaging—such as the Singapore Tourism Board’s partnership with Marina Bay Sands—create powerful synergies that elevate the city’s profile on the global stage.

Moreover, these partnerships can stimulate economic development by encouraging investment in surrounding neighborhoods and supporting local creative industries. Hotels that work closely with tourism boards often host international media, buyers, and influencers, further amplifying a destination’s visibility through earned media and social content. Cities can also leverage luxury hotels as venues for cultural events, exhibitions, or global summits, using their high standards and international clientele to signal credibility and excellence.

Ultimately, the evolution from grande dame to “Insider hotel” is more than a shift in aesthetic—it’s a shift in function. These hotels no longer just reflect their destinations; they help define them. Through immersive design, curated partnerships, and local storytelling, luxury hotels are becoming the new tastemakers of tourism. As global travel continues to evolve, expect Insider hotels to shape the future of place-making—one stay at a time.

Originally posted on City Nation Place on April 17, 2025.